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14 Easy Ways To Make Beautiful DIY Christmas Signs

December 27, 2022

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Decorating with signs is one of the easiest and least expensive ways to add charm and personality to your home.

Especially during the holidays.

Best of all, you don't need any fancy machines or skills, well, not the way I do it, and you don't need to spend weeks to create one.

14 Easy DIY Christmas Signs Collage

With a few simple supplies you can whip up custom decor and look like a total pro in about an hour.

Or less.

And yes, yes, I know Christmas is over, but with all the sales going on right now, this is the best time to grab those holiday stencils, gift bags and wall decals so you're ready for next year.

After all, there are only 363 more days left to prepare.

Easy Wooden Christmas Signs


Here are 14 ideas to get you started. Enjoy!

1. STENCILED MRS. CLAUS WOODEN SIGN


Let's start with my most recent (and arguably most adorable) project, Mrs. Claus. When people hear the word sign, they usually picture something small.

A wall hanging or shelf sitter. But for this one, I used a very large stencil to create an almost life size figure.

Mrs. Claus Porch Sitter Sign

You know what they say, go big or go home.

At almost four feet tall, she's an impressive piece of decor. So next time you grab a piece of wood, I say the bigger the better.

Snowmen, nutcrackers, gnomes, shepards or elves, whatever your theme...size it up and turn your house into a wonderland.

2. STENCILED SANTA CLAUS PORCH SITTER


Of course, it's hard to top dear old Santa Claus. He was my first {stenciled} Christmas love.

Painted Wooden Santa Sign Board

Painted in July, I was excited to try my hand at stenciling again and I was even more excited to make something with scale for my new patio.

I'd seen porch sitters in the stores, but the prices were outrageous. I knew I could make one for much less and I wasn't wrong.

Even with the stencil (buy them on sale...always) and the rollers (my preferred stenciling tool) Santa turned out to be a bargain.

And a very fun DIY.

3. MERRY CHRISTMAS STICKER SIGN


This is the sign that started it all. The one that made me realize you don't need to be an artist to make professional looking holiday decor.

Make An Easy Merry Christmas Wooden Sign

It's a simple wall decal that I picked up at the craft store. I quite literally peeled it off its backing and pressed it down on the board.

Well, ok, there may have been a little more involved, but not much. Scouts honor. 

For the full tutorial you can pop over and peek, but let's just say, if you want a no fuss way to create a sign, this is it.

4. CHRISTMAS CANVAS PRINT


This one is a different take on the whole sign concept. There's no wood involved.

Adding decoupage to canvas with brush over Joy wreath iron on

Instead, I used a stretched canvas and some leftover t-shirt transfer paper.

I was able to design my own graphic online for free, print it out and iron it on to make a unique wall hanging.

It lends a bit of a soft touch to my room and that alone makes me smile.

5. GIFT BAG WOODEN SIGN


Have you ever noticed how truly beautiful some gift bags are? Even at the dollar store?

I mean look at this one.

Wooden Christmas Sign From Gift Bag DIY

It was made to be displayed.

And all I had to do was cut it out and mount it to a painted board with a few upholstery tacks for a little pizazz.

A high end look for under five dollars.

Merry Christmas indeed.

6. FRAMED GIFT BAG ART


Of course, there are even simpler ways to display gift bags. Like framing them.

Framed gift bag on table with red roses and apples

As I said, some of them are truly works of art and can be placed under glass for a quick vignette.

I grab frames, of all sizes, at the thrift store during the year and then once December rolls around, I fill them up with gift bags and place them around the house.

On tables, over the mantel, even on the bathroom walls.

7. BUTTON TREE ARTWORK


I've also made signs that aren't flat, like this one with buttons.

How To Make A Christmas Button Tree Craft

I used a combination of seasonally colored craft buttons and sentimental favorites from my mom's collection.

However, you can make one with whatever buttons you have on hand. Or treasures you may pick up in your travels. Rhinestones, silver or gold buttons would make a very glamorous tree.

And an extremely beautiful sign. Hmmm...maybe my sale shopping should include a few of those.

8. PAINTED CHRISTMAS FAN BLADES


This Christmas sign is a trash to treasure upcycle. It took a little bit of thinking outside the box, but that's my favorite kind of crafting.

rustic christmas wooden sign made out of fan blade on table with Christmas decor about it

I found an old ceiling fan at the curb and used the blades as my canvas. I painted a very basic tree on the faux wood finish and voila.

I didn't have to prep the wood or create a background, it was all done for me and the interesting shape stood out among all the squares and rectangles added a little bit of rustic charm to my Christmas cottage.

9. DECOUPAGED WOODEN TREES


Speaking of sign shapes, let's talk about my decoupaged trees.

Cottage Style Crafty Christmas Trees with apples and greenery on display chest

Yes, this project was a little more involved, since I needed a saw (and a guy who knew how to use one) but I think it was worth it.

There are so many basic shaped holiday characters and items you can create with a piece of plywood. Snowment, large bulb ornaments, stars, wreaths...then you can either paint them or apply rice paper to add the details.

Want to get really festive? Use a drill to add some holes and pop a few lights inside. Brilliant! 

10. LET IT SNOW CUTTING BOARD


Cutting boards are plentiful at thrift stores and they make wonderful sign boards. 

Let It Snow Wooden Sign sitting on countertop near Santa figurine and tree candle

I added stickers to mine and transformed it into a winter accent to dress up my kitchen.

Best of all, I was able to flip it over and make a summer version on the back. How fabulous.

11. WINDOW DECAL WOODEN SIGN


Like I said earlier, wall decals make great signs. 

Merry Christmas Tree Sticker Sign


Whether you find a saying that makes you smile or a seasonal pattern, like this tree, in a fun shape, the process is the same.

Just paint, peel and stick.

You could add a coat of decoupage over the top to seal all that holiday goodness in forever, but most of the time, I haven't found the need.

12. SCROLLED WOODEN GIFT BAG SIGN


This sweet and simple gift bag sign was created simply because I didn't want a bump on the head.

Scrolled Wooden Gift Bag Sign

I wanted to decorate my bedroom with a festive piece of wall decor, but everything I found in the stores was very heavy.

And that wouldn't do. So I used an dollar store gift back to make one of my own.

13. HANGING GIFT BAG SIGN


The last two signs on my list are ones that make use of the "B" side of my gift bags. I'm a waste not want not kind of girl. 

Christmas Gift Bag On A Hanger



So after I cut one side of the bag away for the original sign, I kept the rest of the bag for a rainy, or more probably snowy, day.

This leftover bag was clipped to an old hanger and hung up on a drawer pull for a bit of flair. 

Two signs for the price of one.

14. UPCYCLED GIFT BAG SIGN


This last one was a little more complicated, since I cut the gift bag into pieces to make it fit on a board I could tuck above my kitchen window.

Christmas Kitchen Decor DIY Gift Bag Sign Over Sink

I could've made another square sign with it and given it as a gift or scattered it elsewhere in the house.

But I just loved its delicate, glitter pattern so much, I wanted it in a place I would see it all day.

Every day.

Which by the way, is when you can use all these sign ideas.

They're not just for Christmas.

Like I said, grab those sale supplies now for next year.

But you can make creative signs with any one of these techniques for any season, holiday or event throughout the coming months.

The possibilities are endless.

And I can't wait to see what you come up with!! 

Which one is your favorite? 

Kim Signature


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  1. Oh, these are all so beautiful and such neat ideas! Now I want to go upstairs and look at all of our Christmas bags to see if I can find something art-worthy! Your sign over the sink is beautiful! Hope you had a wonderful Christmas!

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    1. Thanks so much, Mandy! They really are all so simple to construct and yes, gift bags are the best! Happy New Year!

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  2. Love that Merry Christmas decal on the board. What a great idea and it is a perfect time to pick up a few things for next year.

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    1. Thanks Janet! Yes, the decals are the easiest way to go and they are so very pretty. Happy shopping and Happy New Year!

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  3. I love the idea of using gift bags in frames. I'm going to keep an eye out for pretty bags. I think my favorite of these is the ceiling fan blade - so clever, and it looks great!

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    1. Those framed bags are the easiest DIY every, Amy and they pack such a punch. I say go for it!!

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  4. Love them all! I'm always inspired by your creativity. Hope you're enjoying the holiday season and staying nice and warm, dear Kim. All the best for the new year!
    Amalia
    xo

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    1. Happy New Year, Amalia!! I hope your holiday season was lovely and filled with fun family time and your own lovely projects!! xxoo

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  5. Love the idea of bags for pretty frames. All your ideas are fabulous. Happy New Year. Kris @ JunkChic Cottage.

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    1. Thanks Kris!! Those bags are just too pretty to leave in the closet!!

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  6. These are all wonderful ideas, Kim, and you're right, everything is on sale right now....I think I need to go shopping!

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    1. Thanks Ann!! It’s a dangerous time to go shopping…I just bought some stuff last night. Nothing I needed, of course!! Ha!!

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  7. Kim, these signs are beautiful! You have such wonderful ideas.

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    1. Thank you so much, Tammy!! You just made my day!!

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    2. Thanks Tammy! So sorry I missed your comment in December...but sometimes that email box just overflows. I really appreciate the visit and the comment though...and you brightened a cloudy February day for me!

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  8. Hi, I love all your ideas. I have pinned all of them. :-)
    One of my very favorites is the button craft.
    Happy 2023!!! It is almost here!!!
    Carla

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    1. Thank you, Carla! That one has a sentimental place in my heart...and yay!! I love being pinned!!

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  9. Brilliant ideas, Kim. I would never even have thought of framing gift wrapping bags or paper but it makes so much sense after seeing how lovely it looks and canvas print is beautiful. BTW love that Mrs Claus is almost life size. She doesn't get enough airtime in my humble opinion.

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    1. I agree, Michelle, Mrs. Claus is woefully under represented. I'm trying to remedy that with my lifesize lady! haha!

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  10. Kim,
    You know that i am also a "sign" person! LOVE all these great ideas especially the gift bag one! I have been known to frame a calendar picture or two in the past! LOL! Thanks so much for your visits and sweet words! I truly appreciate you taking the time to stop by and I promise i will be better at returning the favor!!!
    Hugs,
    Deb

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